Miter clamp

ABSTRACT

A corner miter clamp comprises a first member for applying a corner pressure to a frame and a separate second member for engaging the frame. These two members are separate from each other to prevent alignment problems resulting from a cocking of the various clamp parts and frame members.

United States Patent Heinrich [451 Aug. 8, 1972 1 MITER CLAMP 3,589,6686/1971 Gill ..269/275 X 72 Inventor: Casper w Heinrich, 2 7 7 3,493,2242/ 1970 Graham ..269/268 X l 817,906 4/1906 Dunne ..269/41 X [221 July23,197" 2,667,799 2/1954 Rzepela ..269/138 [21] App1.No.: 57,4873,090,612 5/1963 Rouse ..269/ 137 X 2,943,336 7/1960 Barrett ..269/224 X[52] us CL "269/88, 269/41 269/137, 3,155,064 11/1964 Gates ..269/224269/138, 269/154, 260/163, 22669/226785, Primary Examiner wayne MorseJr- 511 1111. c1. ..B25b 5/16, B23p 19/04, B23q 1 /2s welss whltesel[58] Field of Search ..269/41, 134-138,

269/154, 224, 268, 88, 163,275 ABSTRACT A comer miter clamp comprises afirst member for [56] References applying a corner pressure to a frameand a separate UNITED STATES PATENTS second member for engaging theframe. These two members are separate from each other to prevent l igfii alignment problems resulting from a cocking of the sc er 1 ans d fbe 2,723,692 11/1955 Tierney ..269/275 x vanous c amp D an mm mm2,838,081 6/1958 8 Clailm, 15 Drawing Figures Larson ..269/88 XPATENTEDAU: 81972 3.682.467

sum 1 or 2 34 26 INVENTOR CASPER W. HEINRlCl-I 4 b, MM

AI YURI IE- (5 MITER CLAMP My invention relates to miter clamps and moreparticularly to miter clamps especially although not exclusively adaptedfor use while making picture frames, or the like.

Although there are a number of jigs, tools, fixtures and the like formaking mitered corners, many construction problems remain. While thereare precision tools for making high cost frames, there are virtually notruly satisfactory, low cost tools suitable for making inexpensiveframes. To find evidence supporting the truth of this statement, oneneed look no further than nearby stores selling low cost picture frames.The corners are almost always poorly made, and very often they are readyto come apart. As a result, good picture frames continue to be a highcost item relative to the cost of other and similar items.

In the past, efforts to make low cost mitered corner clamps havegenerally failed. Among other things, this failure occurred becausethere was not a smooth sliding action. As a result, parts of the clamptended to be cocked with respect to other parts, and there was a bindingbetween the parts. Also, there was an insufficiency of rigidity and theclamp parts tended to bend under the clamping pressures. To compensate,the worker often over tightened the clamp with a resulting damage toboth the clamp and the frame material.

To those who are familiar with the problems of aligning mitered framecorners, it is apparent that it is very ditficult to clamp the frame andretain it in a fixed position. Thus, a prime purpose of my invention isto provide a unit which is positive in performance at all times.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide a device forclamping the angled portions of picture frames, or the like, and forretaining them in position while a dowel or other support means isattached thereto.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed which is adjustable to accommodate various sizes of framingmaterial, such as picture frames, or the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clamp which may beeither mounted permanently or be portable.

The device illustrated, described, and claimed herein is simple inconstruction, and is is designed to enable anyone to manipulate itwithout having either special mechanical training or special equipment.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent asthe description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an assembled clamping device, showing themitered frame parts in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the assembled device shownin FIG. 1 and taken at the line 2-2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plate portion of the clamp shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slidable block member used with theplate of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tapered wedge block member whichimproves the sliding action;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a modified assembled device, again showingthe mitered frame parts in phantom;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the assembled device shownin FIG. 6 and taken along the line 77;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a plate portion of the clamp shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wedge member used with the clamp asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a slidable corner contact member, asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a resiliently actuated corner clamp unitequipped with two spring members;

FIG. 12 is a similar top plan view showing a single radially disposedresilient support;

FIG. 13 is a similar top plan view showing the resilient member retainedby the support;

FIG. 14 is another plan view, as shown in FIG. 13 with the resilientmember supported by a retaining bolt; and

FIG. 15 is yet another modified type of construction with two separateresilient springs.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views. In greater detail, the character 20 identifies a supportplate which may be constructed of any rigid material, such as a steel oraluminum casting, for example. This plate is equipped with a pair ofraised edge wall sections 21 and a corner section 22. The breaks in thewall sections slots 23 may be of any suitable dimension. These breaks orslots 23 provide an entry for drilling the pair of mitered frame members24, shown in phantom. Thus, a dowel 25 (see FIGS. 1 and 6) may beinserted into and retained by the members 24, thereby holding themitered parts in a fixed position.

The plate 20 is also provided with a diagonal slot 26, which is recessedor channeled (see FIGS. 2 and 7), to accommodate the head of a screw orbolt 27, as best seen in FIG. 2. The screw 27 is equipped with a wingnut 28 for retaining an angularly disposed wedge block member 29 usedfor moving and supporting a slidable block member 30. The sliding blockmember 30 is equipped with a slot 31 for receiving the screw 27extending upward through a hole 31 in the block member 29 (see FIG. 5).

The sliding action of FIGS. 1-5 should be apparent from an inspection ofthe drawing. When a force A is applied against the wedge block 29, asindicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sliding block 30 is driven in toward thecomer 22. If there is any vertical tipping of the block 30, it is in thesame direction in which the side or corner walls 21, 22 would give. Thevertical freedom of movement afforded by the slot 31 enables the member30 to follow the frame movement. Normally, this give of the clamp orframe should not be enough to detect. Also, the wedge and block divorcesthe sliding and cocking, if any, movement, so that there is no bindingbetween the clamped parts.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, I show a modified structure, employing a sliding block33 slidably held in position on the plate 20 by means of a screw 34. Thehead of the screw 34 engages the slot 26 in the plate 20. A secondsliding block member 35 is disposed over and vertically retained by theblock 33. This two block arrangement is formed to be slidably forcedforward by the feed screw 36. This screw is threadedly engaged in themember 33 at hole 37. Thus, the member 33 applies the driving forcewhile the member 35 is free to align the mitered frame members 24 forengagement with one another at the corner point 22 of the plate 20. Theframe members 24 may be drilled through the slot 23 to receive the dowel25.

In FIGS. 11 to 15 inclusive, I show various embodiments of resilientlyactuated devices to accomplish the purpose and function for which thedevice is intended. In each of these embodiments, there is a slidablysupported and retaining member 38, held in engagement with the surfaceof the plate by means of a screw 27 and wing nut 28 combination. Aresilient spring means, such as 39, is attached to the front of theretaining member 38 to engage each of a pair of mitered frame members24. Again, the resilience of the support divorces the sliding action ofthe block 38 from the clamping action upon the frame members. Therefore,any cocking action is divorced from the sliding action. Also, the clampmay be supplied with resilient members, such as 39, having a greatvariety of cross section shapes to accommodate the various cross sectionframe shapes.

As shown in FIG. 11, a pair of supporting spring members 39 are attachedto the sliding block member 38 by means of screws 40. In FIG. 12, asingle spring 41 is shown as fastened to the front of the sliding blockmember 38 by means of screw 42. In FIG. 13, the sliding block member 38supports a double clip-in leaf spring 43, at a cavity 44. In FIG. 14,the same type of leaf spring 43 is supported by being fitted over thebolt 27 before the wing nut 28 is attached. In FIG. 15, two separatesprings 45 are attached to the retaining member 38 by the screws 46.Obviously, the resiliency of the spring action may be varied. Also, theshape and positions of the springs may be changed forthe engagement ofthe frame mitered members 24.

Many changes may be made in the parts and features constituting myinvention without effecting its operativeness. Therefore, the appendedclaims are to be construed to cover all equivalents which do not departfrom the spirit of the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A comer miter clamp comprising plate means having integral upstandingside walls positioned at right angles to each other, said side wallshaving a break therein for providing entry for an insertion of a holdingmeans through a mitered joint of a pair of frame mem bers clamped in theright angle formed by said side walls, said plate means having a slotbisecting said right an le,

c lamp means slidably positioned in said slot for applying a cornerpressure against a pair of mitered frame members, and

separate means interposed between said corner pressure applying meansand said frame members for divorcing a clamping action from any cockingof the frame or clamp parts.

2. A comer miter clamp comprising means for applying a corner pressureagainst a pair of mitered frame members, and

separate means interposed between said corner pressure applying meansand said frame members for divorcing a clamping action from any cockingof the frame or clamp parts, wherein said corner as: attainagaseaarsaratsrtra ing block member driven by said wedge block.

3. A comer miter clamp comprising means for applying a corner pressureagainst a pair of mitered frame members, and

separate means interposed between said comer pressure applying means andsaid frame members for divorcing a clamping action from any cocking ofthe frame or clamp parts, wherein said corner pressure applying meanscomprises a first sliding block and said separate means comprises asecond block disposed over and vertically retained by the first block.

4. A corner miter clamp comprising means for applying a corner pressureagainst a pair of mitered frame members, and

separate means interposed between said corner pressure applying meansand said frame members for divorcing a clamping action from any cockingof the frame or clamp parts, wherein said corner pressure applying meanscomprises a slidably supported and retaining member, and said separatemeans comprises a resilient spring attached to said retaining means.

5. The clamp of claim 4 wherein said spring comprises at least onespring member attached to said retaining member and engaging at leastone of a pair of mitered frame members.

6. The clamp of claim 5 wherein said spring is attached to saidretaining member by a threaded coupling means.

7. The clamp of claim 5 wherein said spring is attached to saidretaining member by being clipped into a cavity therein.

8. The clamp of claim 5 wherein there are two of said spring membersdisposed to make contact with said frame members at right angles to eachother.

1. A corner miter clamp comprising plate means having integralupstanding side walls positioned at right angles to each other, saidside walls having a break therein for providing entry for an insertionof a holding means through a mitered joint of a pair of frame membersclamped in the right angle formed by said side walls, said plate meanshaving a slot bisecting said right angle, clamp means slidablypositioned in said slot for applying a corner pressure against a pair ofmitered frame members, and separate means interposed between said cornerpressure applying means and said frame members for divorcing a clampingaction from any cocking of the frame or clamp parts.
 2. A corner miterclamp comprising means for applying a corner pressure against a pair ofmitered frame members, and separate means interposed between said cornerpressure applying means and said frame members for divorcing a clampingaction from any cocking of the frame or clamp parts, wherein said cornerpressure applying means comprises a wedge block member, and saidseparate means comprises a sliding block member driven by said wedgeblock.
 3. A corner miter clamp comprising means for applying a cornerpressure against a pair of mitered frame members, and separate meansinterposed between said corner pressure applying means and said framemembers for divorcing a clamping action from any cocking of the frame orclamp parts, wherein said corner pressure applying means comprises afirst sliding block and said separate means comprises a second blockdisposed over and vertically retained by the first block.
 4. A cornermiter clamp comprising means for applying a corner pressure against apair of mitered frame members, and separate means interposed betweensaid corner pressure applying means and said frame members for divorcinga clamping action from any cocking of the frame or clamp parts, whereinsaid corner pressure applying means comprises a slidably supported andretaining member, and said separate means comprises a resilient springattached to said retaining means.
 5. The clamp of claim 4 wherein saidspring comprises at least one spring member attached to said retainingmember and engaging at least one of a pair of mitered frame members. 6.The clamp of claIm 5 wherein said spring is attached to said retainingmember by a threaded coupling means.
 7. The clamp of claim 5 whereinsaid spring is attached to said retaining member by being clipped into acavity therein.
 8. The clamp of claim 5 wherein there are two of saidspring members disposed to make contact with said frame members at rightangles to each other.